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Acapulco Rising

Acapulco’s luxury scene is getting a head start on the new year with Banyan Tree Cabo Marques, the new cliff-top hotel slated to open in February. The all-pool villa resort (shown above) overlooks Acapulco Bay in the exclusive Punta Diamante private residential area, where celebs like Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Elvis used to romp. They’d love this place. Each of the 47 private villas is 2,000 square feet in size and and has its own 1,400-square-foot pool. Ask about the three-level, three-bedroom Presidential Pool Villa, which can join forces with the Spa Pool Villa to create a four-bedroom retreat. Nice Touch: An outdoor lounging/dining area has sea views and massage beds.

Of the three restaurants, we hear that dining at La Nao will be a trendy experience. Sexy Touch: The resort offers special “Romance Managers” for couples. (Think secret, intimate tryst or a full-scale wedding.) Contact the luxury travel advisor liaison, David Woodward (david.woodward@banyantree.com), if you have special requests.

There’s a bit of a luxury hotel orgy going on in Acapulco. Hotel Encanto opened last November in the same district as the Banyan Tree. Of the 44 rooms, we hear that the best are the 22 with private pools on the balconies. There’s also a spa. Meanwhile, in the city’s “Traditional Zone,” the famed Boca Chica is being restored to its original 1950s Hollywood-style glamour. It should reopen in February. The Fairmont Princess, meanwhile, has created a luxury boutique hotel on its grounds: The Fairmont Pearl has luxury service, plus a private pool exclusive to Pearl guests.